Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.
What does Ecclesiastes 12:13 mean?
Solomon repeats his text, VANITY OF VANITIES, ALL IS VANITY. These are the words of one that could speak by dear-bought experience of the vanity of the world, which can do nothing to ease men of the burden of sin.
Key themes
Read with
Keep this verse inside Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 and alongside a few nearby related passages.
Commentary on Ecclesiastes 12:13
literally, "The conclusion of the discourse" (or "word," equals words, Ecclesiastes 1:1 ), "the whole, let us hear." The whole duty of man - Rather, the whole man. To revere God and to obey Him is the whole man, constitutes man's whole being; that only is conceded to Man; all other things, as this book teaches again and again, are dependent on a Higher Incomprehensible Being.
Key words
- conclusion
-
Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter,.
- whole
-
Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter,.
- matter
-
Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter,.
Context in Ecclesiastes 12
Show chapter context
Ecclesiastes 12 belongs to the closing movement of the book, especially the section often described as epilogue and fear of God. Ecclesiastes examines toil, pleasure, wisdom, time, death, and the elusiveness of gain, then counsels reverent realism under God. Read this chapter with the wider themes of vanity, time, and death in view so the individual verses keep their proper weight.
Related topics
Explore by topic
Verses on the fear of the Lord, wise speech, practical judgment, teachability, and the difference between biblical wisdom and mere cleverness.
Bible verses about anxiety and fear
Verses for readers searching for biblical language about fear, worry, troubled thoughts, and the call to trust God under pressure.